Pragati Event & Pragati Paryavaran Sanrakshan Trust

Our story

Pragati Event and Pragati Paryavaran Sanrakshan Trust organise public mahotsavs in Lucknow. UP Mahotsav began in 2008, the Awadh Mahotsav Shopping Carnival in 2018 and Bharat Hasthsilp Mahotsav in 2021. Today the three run back to back for roughly three months of every season.

Our work is not simply to run a fair. The purpose is to give handicraft, handloom, khadi and gramodyog units, self-help groups and ODOP enterprises a proper channel to show and sell what they make — so that small producers reach customers directly.

What the Trust works on

• Environment protection, tree planting and water conservation
• Sanitation, health and education
• Women’s empowerment and support for self-help groups
• Promotion of handicraft, khadi and gramodyog
• Self-employment and sport for young people
• Conservation of cultural, historical and religious heritage

Government recognition

The Directorate of Industries & Enterprise Promotion (ODOP Cell), Uttar Pradesh has notified Bharat Hasthsilp Mahotsav, UP Mahotsav and Awadh Mahotsav in the state-level fair category vide Letter No. 244/ODOP Fairs/2026-27 dated 25.08.2026. Copies were sent to Deputy Commissioners (Industries) so that interested entrepreneurs in each district are encouraged to take part.

Past editions have seen participation from the Ministry of Textiles (Office of the Development Commissioner – Handicrafts), NABARD, UP Tourism, the UP State Rural Livelihood Mission and the Horticulture & Food Processing Department, along with cultural programmes supported through the Central Bureau of Communication.